A TRIO of adrenalin-fuelled Worcestershire schoolfriends have had the adventure of a lifetime by racing across the Himalayas in a flimsy Tuk Tuk whilst raising more than £3,500 for Help for Heroes.
Sam Garland, 23, from Welland, James Austin, 23, from Clifton upon Teme, and Tom Gidney, 22, from Ombersley, endured landslides, torrential rain, and sleep deprivation to cross the finish line with just seven minutes to spare.
The 2,200km Rickshaw Run Himalaya challenge, which is described as ‘a glorified lawnmower versus the highest roads in the world’, attracts teams from across the globe.
It was a 12-day unforgettable experience for the former Kings School, Worcester, pupils which tested their friendship and pushed them to the limit.
“The race took us from Leh to Jaisalmer, crossing the Himalayas, reaching altitudes more than 5,000 metres above sea level and driving along some dicey roads with some large drops,” said Sam, a show staff assistant at Three Counties Agricultural Show.
“We couldn’t move for five days because of landslides caused by biblical rain. We finally got moving again and started our descent out of the Himalayas, travelling from Kaza to Shimla. Around
47km of landslides had been cleared from the road on this 400km leg of the journey.
“Some landslides were still occurring as we travelled and the Indian Border Roads Organisation had to clear one with dynamite,” said Sam, who is aiming to raise £4,000.
“Staying awake and spotting speed bumps, potholes, cows, and people was a real challenge. On our last day we were all shattered but the chance of making the finish line spurred us on. As we drove on into the desert and the midday sun came out the Tuk Tuk engine started overheating.
“This cost major time as, on several occasions, we had to pull over and park the Tuk Tuk in the shade and open the back to allow the engine to cool. We managed to find a solution by making a cable-tie chain to attach the back door to the side of the Tuk Tuk.
“We completed the last 1,200km of our trip in 60 hours, functioning off five hours’ sleep and got to the finish line with seven minutes to spare!” he added.
Sam, who entered the race with his mates under the team name ‘Globo Gym Purple Cobras’, said: “We decided to raise money for Help for Heroes because the three us think the work they do for our Armed Forces community is incredible, through the recovery and support they provide.
“There are so many incredible individual stories and achievements that are all thanks to Help for Heroes.”
Tom added: “The trip was very mentally challenging, but the elation of hitting the finish line on time, given the hardships we’d faced, is an unforgettable experience which we will all share forever.”
Rhys Edwards, area fund-raising manager for Worcestershire at Help for Heroes, said: “This was an amazing challenge which not only raised vital funds for the charity but formed a long-lasting bond amongst friends.
“Not only did they endure extreme conditions along the way, but they also surpassed their initial fund-raising goal, showing a ‘can-do attitude’ we at Help for Heroes also see in the members of the Armed Forces Community we support.”
To help Sam and his friends reach their £4k target, visit bit.ly/GarlandH4H. To get support, visit helpforheroes.org.uk.
